HAMILTON.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 252, 2 January 1874, Page 3

HAMILTON.

At one time no G-oldfield township was moreprosperous or thickly populated than Hamilton. That gloryj if it be one, has long ago departed. It was soon found that the supply of constant water was too, scanty tp keep a large population. , Gradually the majority of the,njiners left, followed slowly by the business people, Mr. Joseph Brernner holding 1 6n ; till lately, when he too also deserted the once thriving township. Probably the population, both of business people and miners, is now thinned down to that desirable number when jail can make a good living, and, in some instances, do a good deal more. -Mrs. Barber, Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Edmonds, Mr. Hall, and Mr. Booth the business people, iand at first sight it seems a mystery who they'have'to supply. This doubt, however, is soon set at rest if the "neighborhood of the stores is left, and a visit .paid to the" workings on each 3i<di3 of'the township.

'Seldom are there to be seen such cottages as are prettily dotted up the. valley of the Shop,herd's Hut—each with, its plot of ground well fenced and'filled with strong growing vegetables. The cow, too, happily is the constant . accompaniment to the garden. Although the elevation of Hamilton is probably as great as Naseby, yet, from its more favorable exposure to the sun, and its volcanic soil, the .whole character of vegetation at the two townships is entirely distinct, the'difference being, of course, in favor of Hamilton.

It is not an easy matter to say whjt is being done in the way of mining, •miners being very reticent of their doings. Mild attempts at pumping are of no- avail—the only fact being pwned to is the getting of tucker; but when, in the Barne breath, your informant tells you of his new house and his prospective wife, unbelief may be allowed to exist. The alluvial ground for the most part is of a very easy character to get away, except the occasional outcrops of white pipeclay at times come upon. The hard rock juting • out below the wash in some claims forms an obstacle to getting at the bottom—tail race/of an expensive hattire being necessary. For our own part, we are convinced that ground of a very good character is still left at Hamilton, and if the men at work there now are not getting more than tucker they singularly beHe their looks. ' Near; what is known a? the'Corriishmen's claim a very curious deposit of moa bones is in existence. "What at one time was a swamp hole is noitv a i»eat bog, in which the bone#'of this extinct race of birds are clojselv packed. There must be the rern/ains 'of many hundreds of thene birds fin a hole apparently not above twelve/feet /square. The,peculiar features on the [deposit would well ocient)Q|c investigation. . j. jM~ : The maiiv reqiyreinent. of i/arfg disItrict, including dat|d the .Serpentine^)h abridge over .the aTaieri. In it is almost impossible to [get teatnsji'acrosM. N at*re ha.s Adapted ja very fine site, a little ford, which-will no doub; b<* ec t e d. irhe Government'lmve'-; ? roiT|j s( r f ( ' this very ! necessary" || or!f by 'placing a sum on the ISstimatd* { . Qr purpose. It would be treasofj to J pose, tjiey'will be other than a Yg 00t i as their word.

• Tfiey have a new drink in called the Quaker cocktail. r ' It j- ( gerVe j ija a bvo>id-«bx:in.ina e 4 g\w9(»< 1